Plan to help kids transition without parental consent scrapped

The NT government have backflipped on draft guidelines advising schools how to help students gender transition without parental consent.

UPDATE: NORTHERN Territory schools were to be advised to help children as young as 14 transition their gender without their parents’ consent under draft education department guidelines that have now been scrapped.

The draft guidelines – sent to some groups last year for consultation – offered schools advice on how to help children who were questioning their gender.

“Circumstances may arise where a child requests to change their name and gender without the support of their parents and without consulting a counsellor or medical practitioners,” the draft guidelines say.

“The decision to proceed should be made based on the school’s duty of care for the child’s wellbeing and their level of maturity to make their own decisions about their needs. In general, if the child is under the age of 14 parental consent is necessary.

“A child aged 14 and above may be considered a mature minor who has the capacity to make their own decisions. This will depend on their level of maturity, understanding, intelligence, level of independence and ability to express their own wishes. Seek the advice of a colleague, health promoting nurse or the school psychologist if unsure of whether a minor is competent.”

A spokeswoman for the Northern Territory Labor Government last night said this advice was “absolutely 100 per cent not Government policy”.

The Government has been forced to distance itself from the recommendations of its own education department after the draft guidelines were first revealed by Sky News on Monday.

The guidelines also advised schools to hold “non-gendered” sports days and told teachers they should avoid using terms like “boys and girls” in case they upset children who were questioning their gender.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he did not agree with the advice in the guidelines.

“Girls should be able to play sport against girls and boys should be able to play sport against boys,” he said.

“And that … is covered by the Sex Discrimination Act and sports, currently, are in control of this issue.”

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the recommendations in the draft guidelines would not become Government policy.

“I want to be very clear here, that we will not be banning the use of the word boys or girls in schools,” she said.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison answering questions at a press conference on Wednesday in Palmerston. Picture: Floss Adams.

“We will not be stopping having girls’ races or boys’ races or girls’ sports teams or boys’ sports teams.”

She said the guidelines were an outdated document. But despite several requests, the Government has been unable to provide a copy of its updated guidelines.

Ms Manison said those guidelines would be put out for widespread community consultation later this school term.

EARLIER: NORTHERN Territory teachers could soon be told not to call students “boys and girls” to avoid offending children who might be questioning their gender.

Schools would also be encouraged to organise “non-gendered” sporting teams, physical education activities and sports days, under the plan being developed by the NT Education Department.

And children attending school camps would be able to use the toilets, showers and sleeping quarters of their “affirmed gender”.

The directions are included in draft guidelines on diverse sex, sexuality and gender identity in schools that have been sent out for consultation by the NT education department.

“Using gendered language such as ‘girls and boys’ or ‘ladies and gentlemen’ confirms gender stereotyping and roles and can be alienating for gender questioning and gender diverse children,” the document says.

“Avoid this by using vocabulary such as ‘students’, ‘class’, ‘crew’, ‘everyone’, people’ or ‘year X’ that are more inclusive.”

Schools would be discouraged from separating boys and girls on sporting days.

“Where possible, schools should organise non-gendered teams, physical education activities and sports days,” the guidelines say.

“Many transgender and gender diverse children often withdraw from taking part in sport and physical activities because they feel highly uncomfortable or are forced into teams that do not match with their gender identity.

“Swimming and aquatic activities or any other sport where tight fitting clothing is worn can be unsettling for children who identify as a gender different from their physical attributes.

“Schools should be flexible with regard to clothing type and participation.”

Guidelines are also outlined for school outings and camps.

“When considering school excursions including overnight stays, the teacher in charge of the excursion should consult with LGBTQI students, parents and support teams to confirm preferences,” the document says.

Education Minister Lauren Moss would not comment on the proposal because it was still in a draft stage. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Children should be able to access personal facilities such as toilets and showers and sleep in the same sleeping quarters as other children of their affirmed gender.

“However, any child who is LGBTQI and who has a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, should be provided with reasonable personal facilities and accommodation options, which may include a private room.”

Teachers are told that consideration must be given to the safety of other students, but children are warned that raising such concerns could be considered bullying.

“If a child, or their peers, do not agree that they would feel safe and comfortable sharing, seek alternative solutions and acknowledge that this is an indication of possible exclusionary behaviour and potential bullying toward the LGBTQI child,” the guidelines say.

“Have a process in place, such as monitoring interactions or swapping out children who feel uncomfortable, to reduce the likelihood of ongoing bullying.

“Educating children and parents about human rights and discrimination is a good first step to avoiding concerns. Also, emphasise that the safety and wellbeing of each and every child takes priority.”

Education Minister Lauren Moss said she wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the guidelines as this was a draft document that was still the subject of consultation.

“I think it’s really important that we are creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all students and that includes our students who are LGBTQI,” she said.

“We know that often these students are young people and children who experience greater levels of harm or greater levels of isolation or greater levels of bullying and we need to make sure that we are working together as a school community to support all of our students and make sure that they all feel welcome.”

Federal CLP Senate candidate Jacinta Price says the guidelines are political correctness gone mad. Picture: Supplied

But Country Liberal Party Senate candidate Jacinta Price said the guidelines were political correctness gone mad.

“I’m stunned that the Gunner Government would even consider attempting to apply any Marxist ideology into our schooling system here in the Northern Territory.”

She said it was absurd the NT Government was spending so much time and energy pursuing the guidelines given the appalling rates of school attendance in remote communities.

“It goes to show that the Northern Territory Government’s priorities are all mixed up,” she said.

Ms Moss said consultation was underway with students, “school bodies and with our education stakeholders”.

“We know that for many students across Australia schools haven’t been the most welcoming place for them and we want to make sure that we get this right,” she said.

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Originally published as Plan to help kids transition without parental consent scrapped